IT Employees Burn Murthy, L&T Chief’s Effigies for Proposing Longer Workweeks
The IT industry in Bengaluru has been abuzz with controversy after Infosys Founder Narayana Murthy and L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan sparked outrage among employees by suggesting longer workweeks. In response, the Karnataka IT Unions (KITU) organized a protest, where IT employees burned effigies of both Murthy and Subrahmanyan.
The protest, which took place in the heart of Bengaluru, saw a large number of IT employees gathered to express their discontent over the proposed workweek schedules. The employees, dressed in their casual attire, held placards and banners with slogans like “We are not machines” and “Respect our work-life balance.”
The spark for the protest was ignited when Murthy, in an interview, suggested that IT employees should work 70-hour weeks to keep up with the pace of technological advancements. Subrahmanyan, the Chairman of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), soon followed suit, proposing that employees should work 90 hours a week.
The comments from both Murthy and Subrahmanyan were met with widespread criticism from IT employees, who feel that they are already working long hours and need a better work-life balance. The proposed workweeks are seen as an attempt to exploit workers and disregard their well-being.
KITU, the IT employees’ union in Karnataka, decided to take a stand against the proposals and organized the protest. The union’s leader, Venkatraman, said, “We are not asking for favors, we are asking for our rights. We want to work with dignity and respect, not be treated like machines.”
Despite the protest being peaceful, the Bengaluru Police attempted to stop the employees from burning the effigies. However, the protesters were adamant and continued with their plans. The police eventually gave up and allowed the employees to burn the effigies.
The images of the protest, which have gone viral on social media, show the employees holding the effigies of Murthy and Subrahmanyan, with some even dressing up as the two corporate leaders. The protesters also chanted slogans and sang songs, demanding better working conditions and respect for their work-life balance.
The protest has sparked a much-needed conversation about the working conditions in the IT industry. Many employees have taken to social media to share their stories of burnout and exhaustion, highlighting the need for a better work-life balance.
The controversy has also led to a debate about the role of corporate leaders and their responsibility towards their employees. Some have argued that Murthy and Subrahmanyan’s comments were insensitive and lacked empathy for the employees who are working tirelessly to drive the industry forward.
In conclusion, the protest by IT employees in Bengaluru is a wake-up call for the industry to re-examine its priorities. The proposed workweeks are not only unrealistic but also detrimental to the well-being of employees. It is time for corporate leaders to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of their employees and work towards creating a better work-life balance.
Source:
